Dereck Chisora could be just two fights from another world title shot after
claiming the vacant World Boxing Organisation International heavyweight
title with the bizarre sixth-round stoppage of previously unbeaten American
Malik Scott at Wembley Arena.

Next in line: Dereck Chisora is keen on a 'revenge' fight against WBC heayweight title holder Vitali Klitschko after his WBO victory over Malik Scott of USAPhoto: GETTY

Frank Warren, the British fighter’s promoter, believes that if the 29-year-old maintains his pledge of diet and dedication, along with anger management sessions, he will attain challenger status for the World Boxing Council heavyweight title. The Finchley heavyweight, after Saturday night’s victory, was quick to call for a rematch with Vitali Klitschko, the current WBC champion, to whom he lost on points in Munich in Feb 2012.

Chisora moved to 17-4 with this victory of Scott, after forcing the fight on the front foot to hand the Philadelphian his first defeat in his 37th fight.

The contest with Scott was even in the opening five rounds, Chisora busy and bustling, keeping the fight at close quarters. Scott looked slicker but slowed as the rounds passed, notably after taking a series of body shots in the fourth round.

When Scott went down on one knee after an overhand-right-cum-hook landed high on his head in the sixth round, the 32-year-old American appeared to have his senses, yet did not get to his feet until the referee had reached the count of nine. However, the contest was stopped despite the protests of Scott and his camp.

A triumphant Chisora said: “I took his unbeaten record. I said I’d give myself two years to get to the top again and I’m dedicating my life to boxing. I want to go back to Germany and fight Vitali again.”

Warren confirmed that Chisora will step into a ring next on Sept 21, at the first fight night at the Copper Box, the former 2012 Olympic Park venue, with which the promoter has signed a six-fight deal. But Klitschko will not be his opponent.

“Dereck showed 100 per cent that when he gets himself into shape for fights he can get to the top,” said Warren. “This was a tough fight physically but even more so mentally, because there was nowhere to go from here if he lost to Malik Scott. But he delivered, and that’s what it’s all about. Onwards and upwards, back in the game, and get him into the position to fight for a world title.”

Warren suggested the unbeaten, 6ft 7in American Deontay Wilder as the next opponent, although he is slated to face Sergei Liakhovich on Aug 9.

Wilder, 28-0 in his career, is ranked at No 6 in the world by the World Boxing Association and No 7 by the World Boxing Organisation. “There are no excuses now,” added Warren. “Let’s see if he’s got the guts to do it.”

British and Commonwealth middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders, one of the country’s most promising rising talents, stepped up to the mark with a points victory over Gary O’Sullivan to take the WBO International title.

Saunders took the fight 120-109, 120-109, 119-110, inflicting a first career defeat on Sullivan, and is vying with Tyson Fury to become the first boxer from the British traveller community to win a world title.

Elsewhere, England’s boxers are facing exclusion from the World Amateur Championships next year after their association was provisionally suspended by the world governing body, the AIBA, for launching an unauthorised restructuring.

That change had come about to satisfy Sport England’s demand for release of £5 million funding for boxing’s grassroots.

A spokesperson for the Amateur Boxing Association of England said yesterday: “This is a provisional suspension pending the decision of an AIBA disciplinary council. We will be contacting AIBA immediately, in relation to the concerns it has raised, and we are confident that the ABAE will be able to provide the international governing body with the necessary reassurances to ensure this provisional suspension is lifted.

“We believe this situation can be addressed speedily and we are certain that it will not in any way impact on the participation of English boxers in this year’s World Championships or any major international tournaments in 2014.”